“Since 1982, Channel 4 has been a Great British success story, delivering for UK audiences and making a future in television a realistic dream for everyone.” Photo credit: Shutterstock
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has announced plans to privatise Channel 4. She says that “government ownership is holding Channel 4 back”. In response, the Channel 4 Ain’t Broke Initiative, coordinated by We Own It are calling for Channel 4 to be kept in public hands.
The campaign is running under the following statement:
Since 1982, Channel 4 has been a Great British success story, delivering for UK audiences and making a future in television a realistic dream for everyone, no matter where in the country you’re from. It’s owned by all of us but doesn’t cost you a penny.
Unfortunately, the Government is attempting to sell it off. But Channel 4 ain’t broke.
Channel 4 is the levelling up broadcaster and its unique business model supports:
- 140 small businesses, 60 of which are likely to go bust if the sale goes ahead
- 10,000 jobs with hubs in Leeds, Glasgow, Bristol, and Cardiff
- 15,000 training opportunities for young people around the country
- £74 million returned to the public purse in profit
- £1 billion to the economy in general
Independent production companies, creatives and the viewing public are coming together to safeguard the channel that gave us Gogglebox, Derry Girls and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Find out more and how you can take action on the Channel 4 Ain’t Broke website.
You may also be interested to read the MU’s initial response when plans to privatise Channel 4 were announced in April, as well as the concerns highlighted by MU’s Assistant General Secretary Phil Kear in his interview with PRS’ M magazine.